Grain-binding harvester



6 sheets-sheen 2.

. P. P. HODGS.

GRAIN BINDING RARVRSTRR.

No. 319,717. l y Patented June 9, l1885.

H N .N y R .En E* h O l N o Wm F M a FS. G SB R Q Y E O4 N. PETERS. PhMo-Lhhumpher. Walhngion. D. CV

(Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

P. F. HODGES.

GRAIN BINDING HARVESTER.

N'o.- 319,717'. y y Patented June 9, 1885t FN l N Hl! un Innern/01:

PETERS. Phuxrulhogmpher, Walhingion, D. C.

,V (Model.) I P. I'. HODGES.

GRAIN BINDING HARVESTER.

No.319,'717. l -fPatentedJ'unev9,1a85.

N7' k. S A En.. I s *1 c mm v b y n CQ "E 4 g xw {h/r ,51 l] `i-` E b. s.

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6 Sheets-'Sheet 4.

(Model.) 'e:sheets--shee' 5. P. F. HODGES.

GRAIN BINDING HARVESTER.y

Jw eases f Iriver-01'.-

'N. Pneus, mmumognphm wnmngmn, im;

(Model.) 6 sheets-sheet 6.

P. P. HODGES.

GRAIN BINDING HARVESTER.

N0. 319,717. Paten-ted June 9, 1885.

K if? Im/vena) r:

N. PETERS, PhoID-Lhcgnphm Washington. DV C.

Nrrn STATES PLINY F. Honens, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GRA'IN-'elNomar-lARVESTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,717, dated June 9, 1885.

Application filed November 10, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PLINY F. Honens, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grain-Binding Harvesters, of which f ;understood, I have illustrated in the annexed drawings, and will proceed to describe, one lpractical form thereof.

the following is a full description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to that type of selfbinding harvesters designated as low-down j bindersfroni the circumstance that the cut grain is delivered to the self-binder and bound thereby at about the level of the grain-platform-as distinguished from the type in which the cut grainis elevated over the main or drive wheel of the machine before delivery to the binder.

My invention consists, mainly, in organizing the machine with alternately-operating packers, which take the loose grain and pack it against the binding cord or wire into a distinct gavel at a point on the low-down bindertable beyond where the point of the bindingarm, in completing the encompassment of the gavel with the binding cord or wire, crosses the plane of such binder-table, so that the binding-arm strikes notthrough a heaped-up mass of gathered grain from which to divide sufficient for a gavel, but through a comparatively thin sheet of loose grain to operate on an already formed compacted gavel. By this organization I have practically effected the necessary separation of the gavel and bundle from the ini-lowing grain, so difficult in low-down binders, while also obviating the objectionable penetration of a heaped-up mass of grain by the binding-arm. j

My invention further consists of the combination, with the packers, of a binding-arm which operates with araking action across the low-down binder-table after the encompassment ofthe gavel with wire or cord and during the securing of the ends of the band, so as to rake the compacted bundle away from the packers, and thus provide a wide open space between it and the packers 4for the accumulation of grain for the next bundle, and after the gavel is bound returns over the accumulated grain to its first position.

VMy invention further consists of other novel In order that my invention may be clearly Figure l is a plan view of the machine, the

lbinding-arm, seat, and portions of the reel and tongue being omitted or broken away. Fig.

2 represents the stubble side of the machine in elevation. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the Imachine, the reel, cutter-bar, and grain-platjform being omitted. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the machine in planes indicated by the lin'e w x in Fig. l. Figs. 5 to 14E illustrate various details of the machine.

j The same letters of reference are used in all the figures to designate identical parts.

l The main frame F is pivoted by a sleeve, through whichthe ycross main shaft l?, jour- ,naled in suitable bearings, P P', on the forward end of the main frame, passes to a forwvardly-projecting crank-arm on the loose axle of the main or drive wheel W. The tongue W is rigidly secured to a casting pivoted to the forward end of the main frame and carrying a cross rock-shaft connected by a linkY to the main frame. cured to said rock-shaft the main frame and all the parts connected therewith and supported thereon can be tilted for proper adjustment of the cutting apparatus. When the proper adjustment has been made, the lever X is locked by the usual spring-latch device to a rack rigidly connected with the tonguecasting. Y The bar lV of the seat is pivoted to a part of the seat-casting, and connected to the axle of the drive-wheel on the outside thereof in the usual manner.

There is nothing new in the constructionand combination of these parts as far as described.

I elongate the seat-bar rearwardly, so that the seat will be at a point from which the driver can watch`all the operations of the machine, and reach over from his seat to pull out any bundle that may happen to stick in the binder.

8o By means of a lever, X, se-

rool

This thus 'rearwardly-extended seat, as combined with other parts to be described hereinafter, forms one ofthe minor novel features of my invention.

The main frame terminates at its rear end at a line alittle in rear of the axle of the drivewheel, and its rear edge, at least that portion thereof which is between the drive-wheel and the low-down bindertable A", is on about a line-with the front edge of the grain-platform A, so that the cut grain may be moved squarely across the grain-platform into the bindertable and the bundle discharged in the same direction from the binder without danger of lodging, with the stubble end on the main frame. The space between the drive-wheel and the adjacent edge of the low-down binder-table is of suicient width to afford a free discharge of the bundle. Heretofore it has been customary to have between the drive-wheel and `the adjacent edge of the binder-table a rearwardly-eXtending main frame-beam and a cross-beam at the rear end thereof for the purpose of supporting the rear end of the grain-platform. Such construction is objectionable because it is apt to interfere with the discharge of the bundles. Hence I dispense with such beams, so that the bundles can be discharged wholly outside of the frame-work of the machine, and support the grain-platform in an overhung manner from the fingerbeam D, to which it is rigidly secured. The inner shoe, D', of the nger-beam'is in turn rigidly secured to the main frame. The grainplatform is provided with the usual divider,` Z, and the usual grain-wheel is connected with the outer shoe of the finger-beam.

The shaft V of the reel, which latter is composed'of the head V', arms V", and blades V3, is

4o journaled in the forwardly-projecting arms U" of a rocking frame whose bar U' is supported in suitable bearings on top of the posts F' F', erect-ed on the main frame. A lever, X', is fixed to the rockingV frame, by which the latter may be rocked for raising or lowering the reel. This lever carries the usual spring-lat ch for locking it to a fixed rack on one of the posts F'. The reel is driven by the chainwheel T' on the main shaft P, through the intervention of the drive-chain T and the chainwheel T" on the reel-shaft. The drive-chain T runs over guide-rollers journaled in a yoke,

U, connected wit-h the rocking frame which supports the reel. These guide-rollers maintain the tautness of the drive-,chain Tin all positions of the reel.

The main shaft P is driven by the internal gear, Q', ofthe drive-wheel Wthrough the medium of the pinion Q, secured to the outer end of the main shaft. The pitman S3, for reciproeating the cutter-bar, is driven by the crankwheel S", fixed to the rear end of the crankshaft, the forwardfend of which carries the bevel-pinion S', driven by the bevelwheel S on themain shaft P. 1

The grain-platform Ais constructed just inside of the inner lend of the finger-beam with an elevated delivery-bridge composed of bars A', `the upper horizontal portions of which are connected by inclined portions to the grainplatforin. The elevated bridge is employed for the purpose of lifting the grain so that it may be bound at a level a little higher than that of the grain-platforni,in order that the Vbundles may be discharged at a level a little above the stubble. The spaces C' between these bars A' coincide with cross-slotsCin the grain-platform. In these slots C C' operate a series of carrying-bars, B,which are constructj unction of the inclined and horizontal portions they are connected, respectively, to the alternately-opposite cranks E' of a crank-shaft, E, lo-

cated Linder the elevated bridge A'. The cranks E' impart alternating com pound reciprocating motions to the carrying-bars in sucha manner that the greater portion of their te `.th will be in the slots G C' and below the surface of the grain-platform as they move toward the grain side of the platform, and all the teeth will be above the surface of the platform asthey move in the opposite direction. The carrying-bars convey the grain across the platform up onto the elevated bridge thereof. The 'grain delivered on the elevated'bridge is moved onto the low-down binder-table A", which adjoins.

the elevated delivery-bridge A', and packed IOO into a gavel against the binding wire or cord J, under the compressor-fingers Y', by the packers B. Since these packers are required to operate alternately, and have substantially the same motions as the carryi n g-bars, and since the pack-ers `require guided tails to maintain them in proper relations to the cranks, the function of which tails can be performed by the carrying-bars, lIhave shown them Vin this example of my invention as formed o'n the extreme outer or stubble end of said carryingbars. These packers thrust close up to the adjacent edge of the binder-table.

The compressor-fingers Y' are secured to a suitable overhead support, Y. Y

The crank-shaft E, supported in suitable bea-rings on the grain-platform and the bearing E" on the inner shoeLD', of the fingerbeam, projects beyond the end of lthe main shaft P, by which it is driven through the 1 medium of the bevelgears R R.

The low-down binder-table is composed of twoA parts separated by a cross-slot and secured upon a frame, K' K" K, illustrated in IIO detail in Figs. 9 and 10. The main body K' A of this frame has a cross-slot directly under the cross-slot of the binder-table, but is constructed with stirrups for rigidly connecting the parts onopposite sides of said cross-slot. The forward ends of the arms K" K" of .this frame are secured to the base H of the binderframe, which base is mounted on longitudinal tracks or ways Gon the main frame F. The ways G terminate at about the rear edge of the main frame; but the binder-table is also supported and guided near its rear end. by the rearwardly-projecting bar K3 of its frame, on a bracket, K4, secured to the grain-platform. The binder-frame is composed of the base H, already referred to, 'the standard H', and .tu-

bular arm H", which projects from the standjournaled in one of the stirrups ofthe bindertable frame, and a guide-roller journaled in the rocking tuckcr K, located in the cross-slot of the binder-table. This tucker is a skeleton beam, carrying said guide-roller at one end, and vis at one side secured to the rear end ofthe rock-shaft L, and is at the other side provided with a journal-pin, for additional support-in frame K'. The front end of shaft L is-provided with a crank, L', by which it is rocked, whenever the binder-shaft rotates, from a crank, L, on the front endof said binder-shaft, through the medium of a connecting-rod, L. The binding-arm is hung on the crank l', so as to operate in the vertical plane ofthe cross slot ofthe binder-table, and

between the side bars of the skeleton tucker,

the guide-roller of which is j ust cleared by the point of the binding-arm in its descent. The movements of the binding-arm and tucker are so timed that as soon as the point ofthe binding arm in its descent reaches about the level of the tueker the end of the latter, which carries the guide-roller, begins to ascend, so as to tuck the wire or cord into the slit in the point ofthe binding-arm. This guide-roller end of the tucker, which reaches to about the inner edge of the binder-table, does not in ascending rise above the level on which the grain is moved by the packers, in order that it may not obstruct the free movement of the grain onto the binder-table while a previouslyformed gavel is being bound.

In order that the binding-arm may rake the gavel across the binder-table during the operation of securing the band around such gavel, and thus provide a clear space behind it for the accumulation of grain for the next gavel, and thatlit may subsequently ascend and move over thel accumulated grain to its rstposition, l useabinding-arm constructed with a tail, J', connected with a radius-link, J", toaixed bracket-arm, H3, on the tubular lengths of grain may require.

arm H" of the binder-frame. The bindingarm is so located with reference to the packers B that in descending to bind a gavel its point reaches beyond the line to which the packers thrust the grain and passes through the loose grain on the delivery-bridge A'. To

put it the other way, the packers thrust and compact the gavel beyond the point where the point of the binding-arm passes through the flowing grain in descending to bind such compacted gavel. Since the binding-arm has a raking action across the binder-table, I also cause it to perform the function of discharging the bundle byextending its sweep -to the outer edge of such binder-table.

The. binder-frame, together with all the parts supported thereon, can be `adj usted longitudinally of the machineV on the ways G of the main frame, and the binding-arm thereyby located at any required point within certain limits along the side of the grain-platform, so that the gavels may be bound at such distance from the butt-end as the varying The adjustment of the binder must always be such, of

course, that the binding-arm will clear the lend adjacent to the binder-table, as shown in Fig.- l, so that. the binding-arm may pass through such forks. j

The binder is operated to bind successivelycompacted gavels, one during each complete rotation of the binder-shaft, by means of the chain-wheel M" on the main shaft P, through the medium ofthe drivechain M; chain-'wheel M', mounted on a stud on the binder-frame, and bevel-wheels O O', the wheel O being se cured to the chain-wheel M' and the wheel O' tothe binder-shaft I. Chain-wheel M" is normally locked to the shaft by means of a spline or pin, with whiehvit is held engaged by a spring coiled around said shaft, but may be slid thereon to unlock it whenever the binder requires to be stopped.

A suitable lever or other device arranged This belt-tightener IOL) lIO

the lower forked end ofwhieh embraces the hub of the ehain-wheel'M", and is held at the proper distance from the chain-wheel M' by a bar, N". The bars N' and N" constitute a joint where they are pivoted together, which opens more or less according as the binder is adjusted, and it is evident that-the distance from the wheel M" to'the wheel M' by the way of the pulleys at said joint, and consequently the tautncss of the driving-chaimwill' be constant, whatever position the binder may occupy.

The operation of the machine can be understood from the foregoing description;l but it may be useful to brieiiy recapitulate so much thereof as relates to the disposition of the grain after it is cut. The cut grain is conveyed across the grain-platform in a direction parallel to the cutter-bar by the carryingbars B,

' caused to make one rotation, during which the binding-arm first descends with its point through the grain on the elevated bridge A behind the compacted gavel, encompassing the gavel with the band and bringing the two parts of the band together, the new portion of which band is simultaneously carried by the tucker into the slit in the point of the binding-arm, so that it may be caught 'by the twister or knotter; then, continuing its motion through the slot in the binder-table, the binding-arm rakes the encompassed gavel across the bindertable while the band is being secured, and finally discharges the bundle into the space between the binder-table and the drive-wheel, through which space it falls to the ground, wholly outside of the frame-work of the machine; after which,sti11 continuing its motion, the binding-arm rises and moves back to its normal position over the grain,which has been accumulated in the meanwhile on the bindertable by the packers.

Theterm packers7 I use in its technical sense,as applied in autpmatic grain-binders, to the alternately thrusting or reciprocate'd and projected and retracted lingers which pack the flowing loose grain by alternate thrusts into a gavel, thrusting beyond the point where the point of the binding-arm passes through the loose grain. I am well aware that such packers have been in use for some time to operate on grain first elevated over the drive-wheel of the harvester and delivered to a binder table or deck on the outside or stubble side of such drive-wheel; but I am'the first, so far as I know, to apply such packers to a low-down binder, and by such application of packers I have very materially improved the operation and practical usefulness of low-down binders.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. In a low-down self-binder, the combination, substantially as before set forth, of the grain-platform, (comprising means for conveying grain across it,) the low-down binder-A table, and an automatic binding mechanism vat the delivery side ofsaid grain-platform,and alternately thrusting packers which positively thrust beyond the point where the point ofthe binding-arm passes through the grain. n

2L In a low-down self-binder, the combination, substantially as before set forth, of the grai vnplatform, (comprising means for conveying the grain across it,) the low-down bindertable, and an automatic'binding mechanism at the delivery side of said grain-platform, alternately thrusting packers, which positively thrust beyond the point where the point of the binding-'arm passes through the grain, and a rotating crank-shaft for operating said packers.

3. In a low-down self-binder, the combination, substantially as vbefore set forth, of the grain-platform, (comprising means for conveying the grain across it,) the low-down bindertable, and an automatic binding mechanism at the delivery side of said grain-platform, the slotted elevated delivery-bridge of said grainplatform, andalternately-thrusting packers, which positively thrust beyond the point where the point of the binding-arm passes through the grain. Y

4. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of a low-down binder-table, packers which alternately thrust beyond the point where the point of the binding-arm passes through the grain, and a combined binding and discharging arm.

5. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the platform-carrier, the low-down binder-table, and alternately-thrusting lparallel packers, which take' the grain and pack it in a gavel on the binder-table.

6. rlhe combination, substantially as before set forth, of the grain platform, the main or drive wheel, the intermediate'main frame terminatingat the rear on about a line with the front line ofthe grainplatform, the automatic binder, and the binder-table, supported from the main frame at the 'delivery side of the grain=platform, a clear space being provided between the binder-table and drive-wheel for the discharge of the bundle wholly outside of the frame-work of the machine.

7. In a self-binding harvester, the combination of a grain-receivingplatform, A, overhung from and sustained by a front support, and having an elevated delivery-bridge, A', grain-carriersv for conveying the grain transversely across the platform, a shaft for propelling the grain-carriers, the intermediate main frame, F, the main or drive wheel W, and the binder-table A", the said members being arranged, asl described, to leave a clear space between the binder-table and the drivewheel for the free discharge of the bundle, substantially as described.

8. In a self-binding harvester, the intermediate main frame, F, provided with tracks G, and interposed between the inner end of the finger-beam and the main or drive wheel, and

,having its rear end in line, or nearly so, with the front of the overhang grain-receiving platform, in combination with a binder-table, and a plate, H, carrying a binding mehanism, and adjustable on the tracks of the intermediate main frame, substantially as described.

IOO

9. In a self-binding harvester, a grain-receiving platform, A, overhung from and sustained by a front support having an elevated delivery-bridge, A', combined carriers and packers B B', and a single crank-shaft, E, for reciprocating the combined carriers and packers, in combination with 'the intermediate main frame, F, main or drive wheel W, and binder-table A," arranged, as described, to leave a clear space for the discharge of the bundle between the binder-table and the drive-wheel, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

l0. In a self-binding harvester, the intermediate main frame, F, provided with tracks G, and interposed between the inner end of the finger-beam and the main or drive wheel, and having its rear end in line, or nearly so, with the front of the overhung receivingplatform, in combination with the adjustable plate H, standard or post H', bearing-arm H", shaft I, crank I', binding-arm J, and binderltable A", arranged as described, whereby the bundle can be discharged sidewise between the binder-table and the drive-wheel, substantialy as and for the purposesspecified.

l1. In a self-binding harvester, a grainreceiving platform, A, overhung from and sustained by a front support, as described, combined carriers and packers B B', intermediate main frame, F, located forward of the receiving-platform, with its rear portion between I(he inner end of the finger-beam and drivewheel W, all arranged as described and for the purposes specified, in combination with a binding arm and binder -table adjustably mounted on themain frame, a driving mechanism for the binding-arm,and a belt or chain tightener for the driving mechanism,whereby the mechanism is operative in whatever position adjusted, substantially as and for-the purposes specified.

12. In a self -bindingv harvester, a chaintightener, N, and bars or supports N'N", in combination with the chain M, sprocketwheels M' M", gear-wheels O O', shaft I, crank I', binding-arm J, and an adjustable support for the shaft and binding-arm located andA operating on an intermediate main frame interposed between the main or drive wheel and an Overhung receiving-platform, and abindertable connected with the adjustable support for insuring the driving of the binding-arm, in whatever position adjusted, substantially as specified.

13. In a selfbinding harvester, a grainreceiving platform overhung from and sustained by a front support, as described, having horizontal carriers receiving the grain direct from the cutters and delivering the grain to, and packing it in gavels on, a binder-table, an intermediate main frame located forward of the receiving-platform, with its rear portion in line, or nearly so,with the front of the platform and between the inner end of the linger-beam and main or drive wheel, as described, and having a binder mounted thereon, in combination with a seat located outside and at the rear of the drive-wheel for enabling the operator to have the entire mechanism under inspection, substantially as specified.

14. In a grain-binding harvester, the 'rocking tucker'K, locatedin the slot of the bindertable, the shaft L, crank L', rod L", and crank L3, in combination with abinding-arm, J ,.eX- tension J', link J", support H3, bearing-arm H", standard H', shaft I, crank I', and a suitable driving 'mechanism for the shaft I, said members being constructed'and arranged substantially as and for the purposedescribed. PLINY F. HODGES.

Witnesses:

O. W. BOND, A. H. ADAMS. 

